The University of St. Thomas men’s and women’s basketball teams are joining forces with the African American Student Union to host the first annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. The weeklong drive will kick off at the men’s and women’s basketball games against Red River Athletic Conference opponent Jarvis Christian College on Nov. 12.

Women’s Basketball Head Coach Mike Ricks said they had been planning a volunteer effort like this for a while.

“It just happened that the AASU was also planning to host a food drive, so we figured if we joined together for a great cause, we could be more effective,” Ricks said. “We are all very excited about it.”

Information will be available at both games and all proceeds from the evening will be donated to the drive. Canned food items will also be collected during the games and donations will be accepted. The women’s game is at 5:30 p.m., and the men’s game is at 7:30 p.m.

AASU and men’s basketball team member Henoc Jean said the groups wanted to use the games as an opportunity to launch the drive.

“We will host other events during the week where students and staff can bring canned goods or other non-perishable food items to donate,” Jean said.

Donations and food items can also be dropped off to Ricks in Jerabeck 207 and to Kazeem Tijani in Monaghan 301. There will also be drop boxes placed around campus for donations. The groups will accept donations on the University Seal Plaza from 12:30-2 p.m. on Nov. 13, 15 and 20.

All donated items will be presented to the Houston Food Bank. Come out to support the food drive and Celt basketball.

Students from the University of St. Thomas Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing parti...

University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas, dedicated to educating leaders of faith and character, is a private institution committed to the liberal arts and to the religious, ethical and intellectual tradition of Catholic higher education. St. Thomas is Houston’s only Catholic University and was founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1947.